Speaker
Description
The SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet) is a globally federated infrastructure providing data distribution and science workflows for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The v0.1 test campaign delivered the first system-level validation across nine accredited nodes, integrating global services (Rucio, FTS, SKA-IAM, perfSONAR) with site services (storage, compute, science platforms) and executing progressive stress tests. We demonstrated sustained site-to-site throughput of up to ~20 Gb/s and achieved 24-hour data-movement challenges reaching ~150 TB and ~1M files, at scales expected for upcoming Science Verification commissioning periods. Rucio’s policy‑based replication strategies supporting long‑haul distribution across SRCNet are also presented.
In this work, we present the test campaign setup, including use of the Rucio Task Manager framework to orchestrate test plans, and provide results on reliability, and network and storage performance. We also report updated SRCNet characterisation results, including site-to-site performance and operational lessons from token‑only transfer workflows. Results from file‑concurrency studies, alongside per‑file transfer speeds and file‑size variation, are presented, which are important to inform large‑scale replication and data‑placement strategies for different formats of astronomy data.
Building on these baselines and leveraging the experience from WLCG-style Data Challenges, we present the validation plan to demonstrate readiness for SRCNet to accept, distribute, and serve the SKA observatory data flow. This provides the path to meet the ~300 PB/yr observatory ingest plus derived data products, as SKA reaches full operations, positioning SRCNet as a scalable federation, extending and augmenting proven HEP methodologies for next-generation radio astronomy.